Uganda: Zain Takes Museveni Rap As Ringtone

Kampala — THE telecom company Zain Uganda, has beaten rivals to sign an agreement with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to use President Yoweri Museveni's hit that has taken the country by storm as a polyphonic ringtone.

Industry sources said telecoms in Uganda had been attracted by the popularity of Museveni's Another rap and wanted it as an exclusive ringtone on their networks.

The song has become a hit playing on FM radio stations across the country, adopted as a ringtone and it has also turned into a form of greeting among friends.

Another rap has infiltrated nightclubs, where it is said to get everyone onto the dance floor whenever it's played.

"When I play the hit, even those who are seated get onto their feet to dance," said DJ Shiru of Club Silk. The song is prominently featuring on social networks including Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

"This chain reaction makes me feel sorry for those standing against Sevo (read Museveni) in the race for President. They should be scared because with the rap that has swept almost every young person, vote Museveni victory is bound to be a landslide," predicted Christopher Kasule, a computer dealer in Kampala.

Ofwono Opondo, the party spokesperson confirmed Zain and NRM had initiated discussions about the song as a ringtone but did not have details regarding the money involved.

When contacted, Caesar Mloka, the Zain Uganda marketing director, said: "We signed a contract with them sometime last week and we have the paperwork."

Mloka declined to disclose details of the deal, including how much money had been provided to the NRM.

Ofwono said that if there are money involved, it should go to the party coffers and the party leader Museveni, who sang the song, would gladly accept the arrangement. "It should be NRM money and I am sure the President will gladly accept," he said.

But sources in the party were still unsure whether Museveni had endorsed the Zain deal.

Last month, Museveni during the State Banquet to celebrate Uganda's 48th Independence anniversary, sang the song to the amazement of the guests. He was responding to hiphop singer GNL Zamba's performance and Richard Kaweesa, who explained to him what rap was.

"These youth have today taught me what rap is," Museveni excitedly said when he took to the podium to address guests. He sang his first song and at the end asked: "Do you want another rap?" and the crowd cheered him on.

The song, whose lyrics are derived from two Runyankore children's rhymes, which was remixed in a rap beat and produced by music producer Steve Jean of Fenon Records. T

he latest is DJ Shiru has done another remix with a ragga beat and provided video clips to accompany it. There is also another disco version remix by Ragga Dee, a local artiste.

The remixed song was first played in public at Lugogo Cricket grounds when the youths threw a party for the president two weeks ago.

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